5281-S

AN ACT Relating to Washington thoroughbred racing; amending RCW 67.16.105; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature that one-half of the money being paid into the Washington thoroughbred racing fund continue to be directed to enhanced purses, and that one-half of the money being paid into the fund continue to be deposited into an escrow or trust account and used for the construction of a new thoroughbred racing facility in western Washington.

Sec. 2. RCW 67.16.105 and 1994 c 159 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Licensees of race meets that are nonprofit in nature, are of ten days or less, and have an average daily handle of one hundred twenty thousand dollars or less shall withhold and pay to the commission daily for each authorized day of racing one-half percent of the daily gross receipts from all parimutuel machines at each race meet.

(2) Licensees of race meets that do not fall under subsection (1) of this section shall withhold and pay to the commission daily for each authorized day of racing the following applicable percentage of all daily gross receipts from all parimutuel machines at each race meet:

(a) If the daily gross receipts of all parimutuel machines are more than two hundred fifty thousand dollars, the licensee shall withhold and pay to the commission daily two and one-half percent of the daily gross receipts; and

(b) If the daily gross receipts of all parimutuel machines are two hundred fifty thousand dollars or less, the licensee shall withhold and pay to the commission daily one percent of the daily gross receipts.

(3) In addition to those amounts in subsections (1) and (2) of this section, all licensees shall forward one-tenth of one percent of the daily gross receipts of all parimutuel machines to the commission daily for payment to those nonprofit race meets as set forth in RCW 67.16.130 and subsection (1) of this section, but said percentage shall not be charged against the licensees. The total of such payments shall not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars in any one year and any amount in excess of one hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be remitted to the general fund. Payments to nonprofit race meets under this subsection shall be distributed on a pro rata per-race-day basis and used only for purses at race tracks that have been operating under RCW 67.16.130 and subsection (1) of this section for the five consecutive years immediately preceding the year of payment.

(4) In addition to those sums paid to the commission in subsection (2) of this section, licensees who are nonprofit corporations and have race meets of thirty days or more shall retain and dedicate: (a) An amount equal to one and one-quarter percent of the daily gross receipts of all parimutuel machines at each race meet to be used solely for the purpose of increasing purses; and (b) an amount equal to one and one-quarter percent of the daily gross receipts of all parimutuel machines at each race meet to be deposited in an escrow or trust account and used solely for construction of a new thoroughbred race track facility in western Washington. Said percentages shall come from that amount the licensee is authorized to retain under RCW 67.16.170(2). The commission shall adopt such rules as may be necessary to enforce this subsection. ((~~The provisions of this subsection shall apply through June 1, 1995.~~))

(5) In the event the new race track is not constructed before January 1, 2001, all funds including interest, remaining in the escrow or trust account established in subsection (4) of this section, shall revert to the state general fund.

(((6) Effective June 1, 1995, licensees who are nonprofit corporations and have race meets of thirty days or more shall withhold and pay to the commission daily for each authorized day of racing an amount equal to two and one-half percent of the daily gross receipts of all parimutuel machines at each race meet. These percentages shall come from the amount that the licensee is authorized to retain under RCW 67.16.170(2) and shall be in addition to those sums paid to the commission in subsection (2) of this section. The commission shall deposit these moneys in the Washington thoroughbred racing fund created in RCW 67.16.250.))

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. On the effective date of this act, all funds in the Washington thoroughbred racing fund are appropriated to the Washington state horse racing commission. Expenditure of these funds may be made only after approval of the Washington state horse racing commission with the advice of the attorney general. Expenditures from the account may be used only to benefit and support interim continuation of thoroughbred racing, capital construction of a new race track facility, and programs enhancing the general welfare, safety, and advancement of the Washington thoroughbred racing industry.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.